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I don’t know anyone that has grown up in Hawaii that doesn’t know Kalua Pig and Cabbage. Every family has their own way of making it, but the key components are kalua pig and cabbage.
I used to just cook it with some black pepper and Hawaiian salt because it’s so simple. However, I love how oyster sauce adds flavor to the cabbage that is so tasty and savory and highlights the sweetness of the cabbage that you didn’t know existed. I also add onion because it is full of flavor and is good for your health (contrary to what my husband always thought about onions). This comes together quickly on the stove top. I don’t feel the need to bust out a pressure cooker or slow cooker, but to each his own.
This easy pork recipe is great for teaching kids how to cook. I learned how to cook this at a young age, and it will be something that my son learns how to make soon.
What is Kalua Pig?
Kalua Pig is the Hawaiian version of pulled pork. It is traditionally cooked in an underground oven (imu) and is smoky and salty. Nowadays it is widely available at many grocery stores in Hawaii.
This is the perfect Asian twist on a European pastry. The Okinawan sweet potato adds just the right amount of sweetness, so it is a great breakfast or dessert. The Japanese often say, or at least my Japanese relatives often say, that a great dessert is “not too sweet”. This is that pastry!
This also has half whole wheat flour and half all-purpose flour, which helps to make this tender yet you’re not eating all simple carbs from the white flour. It is also sweetened with honey instead of granulated white sugar for an overall healthier sweet treat for breakfast or as a hearty snack with afternoon tea.
Why this is on the regular dinner rotation?
This entire dish comes out to less than $10.00 to feed a family of four. Yay! You’ll save even more money if you cook your own kalua pig and freeze it in batches for easy weeknight dinners. My easy Slow Cooker Kalua Pig recipe will make you realize how much money you can save and is great for those who don’t live in Hawaii and can’t access store-bought Kalua Pig!
Since Kalua Pig is a saltier preparation of pork, I will often serve it during the hotter months when we are all losing tons of salt from sweating so much. Many people often don’t realize that their blood pressure has dropped because of the loss of water and salt in their body until they start feeling dizzy and lightheaded. This helps to keep someone like me who has low blood pressure from falling prey to low blood pressure symptoms.
Cabbage Health Benefits
You wouldn’t believe how much this inexpensive vegetable can help your body. It has lots of vitamins that may help protect against some cancer, heart disease, and vision. These vitamins also help promote healthy skin, muscles, and bones. The fiber helps to keep you regular and promotes fullness. Eating red cabbage can also help blood vessels and protect against heart disease with its higher potassium levels compared to green cabbage.
If you like this, check out these pork recipes, too!
Kalua Pig and Cabbage
Equipment
- 1 chef's knife
- 1 large cutting board
- 1 4-quart stainless steel pan or 10" sauté pan
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil or canola oil
- 12 ounces kalua pig use this Slow Cooker Kalua Pig recipe or store bought (about 1 ½ cups)
- 1 onion sliced
- ½ cabbage sliced or chopped (about 1 pound)
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
Instructions
- Heat the pan on medium high heat. Add olive oil and onions. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the onions start to soften.
- Add the kalua pig and cabbage and mix to combine. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally. The kalua pig should be warmed through, and the cabbage softened to your preference.
- Add ground black pepper and oyster sauce and stir well.
- Serve on top of hot cooked rice or with a side of poi.
